What is a “Hoarding Disorder?”

A hoarding disorder is characterized by the presence of: 1) clutter that significantly affects use of one’s home, 2) difficulty discarding and/or excessive acquisition of objects, and 3) significant distress or problems in one’s life as a result of their hoarding behavior and/or clutter. Hoarding is often a chronic condition that does not improve without treatment, and traditional supportive talk therapy is usually ineffective without more.

We Employ Effective Treatments That Work

There are a number of approaches that have been scientifically-validated and known to help people with hoarding. Undoubtedly, the best medicine for a hoarding disorder goes beyond supportive, talk therapy. Our methods integrate a combination of the research-backed methods that can help a person who is hoarding. The primary issue is that most people who hoard do not want help; as such, our therapists and counselors are trained experts in the art of of Motivational Interviewing. We use this type of process initially to help engage, and increase motivation, in clients, and this has been shown to work and designed to address people like those who struggle with hoarding.

Get Help For Your Loved One Today

Unfortunately, many of those people who have a hoarding disorder may be reluctant to seek help for several reasons, such as the following:

• Isolation
• Shame, guilt, and embarrassment
• That they see acquiring items as rewarding, not problematic
• Discomfort caused by letting go of items
• Lack of insight into the problem

As you may know, the person who is hoarding often doesn’t fully appreciate their problems or the consequences to others of their actions, and so it’s common for loved ones to seek help first. If you are seeking support for a loved one, your therapists here will start by working with you and/or other loved ones involved, followed by engaging the person who is hoarding afterwards. This team approach (therapist, individual with hoarding disorder, loved ones) can often be successful in decreasing clutter and problematic hoarding behaviors.

When we combine an integrative approach utilizing Internal Family Systems therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapy, and other skills, we can take effective steps to help the person with hoarding in their recovery. If you need help dealing with a family member who is hoarding, our therapists at Denver Emotional Health have expertise in treating anxiety, OCD and hoarding disorders. We offer therapy and consultation to family members on how to approach their loved ones with these disorders. If your loved one suffers from hoarding disorder, feel free to contact us at Denver Emotional Health or learn more about how we treat anxiety.

Learn more about legal psychedelic-assisted therapies  we offer that can help you with your struggles.